Tape attaching device for reels



Nov. 11, 1958 J. G. FLAHAN v TAPE ATTACHING DEVICE FOR REEL-S Filed Aug. 151, 1954 INVENTOR. JAMES 6n FLAHAN FIG. 3

ATTORNEY United StatesPatentOf' 7 2,859,920 TAPE ATTACHING DEVICE FOR REELS James G, Flahan, Parma, Ohio Application August 31, 1954, Serial No. 453,253 4 Claims. c1. z42 '-74.1

This invention relates to reels upon which strips of tape or film and the like are adapted to be wound, and more particularly to a new and improved device for securing the end of the tape to the core of the reel during the initial steps of the winding operation.

It is among the objects of the present invention to types of tape receiving reels for securing the tape to the core of the reel at the start of the winding operation.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a device arranged to be mounted on the spindle carrying a reel upon which tape is to be wound and provided with means serving to simultaneously hold the end of the tape in engagement with the core of the reel and to rotate the reel to effect the winding operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for holding tape ends against the core of a reel at the start of the winding operation without the use of any permanent securement means between the tape and the core so that the tape will be smoothly and quickly released from the core of the reel when the tape has run off, thereby preventing possible damage to the tape.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device for use with the reels upon which tape recordings are wound which is so constructed as to enable an operator to monitor the tape recordings as the tape is passed from reel to reel.

These and other objects and advantageous features of the invention, not at this time more particularly pointed out, will become more apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a reel with the tape shown attached by means of the device of the present invention.

Figure 2 is 'an enlarged transverse sectional view, with parts broken away, taken substantially on a plane through the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner of presenting and engaging the end of the tape to the core of the reel by means of the device of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to Figure 3, illustrating the manner in which the tape may be secured to the core of the reel.

With reference to the accompanying drawing there is illustrated a device broadly indicated by the numeral for securing the end of a length of tape to the core of a reel embodying the teachings of the present invention Patented Novlll, 1958 2 l and comprising a flat, substantially elliptical-shaped plate or body member 11. Adjacent the narrow upper extremity of the body member 11 and extending at right angles to the surface thereof is an integrally formed prong 12, the purpose of which will become more apparent hereinafter. Located on the longitudinal center line of the body member 11 is an elongated slot 13 of sufiicient width to receive the standard mounting spindle 14 for the reels 17 of a motion picture or tape recording machine and of suflicient length to allow for radial adjustment when the device is used with reels of various the core 16 of the reel 17, the device 10 is mounted on the spindle; 14 adjacent one side of the reel 17 with the prong 12 traversing the space between the sides of the 'reelf and is moved to its outermost position'with respect to the spindle'14 and the elongated slot 13. The end of the tape 18 is then positioned between the inwardly ofiset portion 19 of the prong 12 and the surface of the core 16 of the reel 17 as is best shown in Figure 3. The core 16 may be provided with spaced rectangular notches 20 into which the tape may be depressed by the offset portion 19 of the prong 12.

To secure the tape 18 to the core 16, the device 10 is moved axially toward the center of the reel, being guided by the spindle 14 extending through the elongated slot 13, and suflicient pressure is exerted on the device in this extended position to efiect a clamping action on the tape between the lower surface of the prong 12 and the surface of the core 16. Thus, secured, the reel 17 is then rotated a few turns in the desired direction by revolving the handle 15 until a suflicient amount of the tape or film 18 has been threaded to hold the said tape 18 securely in place. After the film or tape has been properly threaded the device 10 may be removed from the reel simply by sliding the prong 12 from under the tape 18 and removing the device 10 from the spindle 14. However, if so desired, the device 10 may be retained in the secured position without detracting from the operating efliciency of the machine.

After the tape or film 18 has been run off the reel it is smoothly released from the reel thereby preventing any possible damage to the film or tape 18 or operating equipment as is so frequently the case with prior tape attaching devices.

The use of the present invention in conjunction with magnetic tape recording machines provides a particularly desirable feature of enabling the operator to monitor tape recordings. With the device 10 and tape 18 secured to the reel 17 as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the reel may be rotated by revolving the handle 15 at a desirable speed, thereby permitting the recorder to pick up and monitor the recorded sound at any selected portion of the tape.

Having thus described my invention so that those skilled in the art may practice the same, what I desire to obtain by Letters Patent is defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A threader for engaging tape ends with a reel adapted to receive the tape rotatably mounted on a spindle, said threader comprising a body member having a prong formed at one end thereof and arranged to traverse the path of travel of the tape 'on the reel, said prong adapted to engage and hold the leading end of the tape against the core of the reel, said body portion having an elongated slot for mounting said member on the spindle for radial moyer'nentwith respect to the reel and a handle member rnounted on said body portion. at the other end thereof for manually rotating the reel until the end of the tape is, secured to the core of the reel.

,.2. Adeviceyfor rotating and threading tape ends on a reel/including a core and spaced flange members rotatably mounted on a spindle, said device comprising a body portionjpositioned on the spindle adjacent to outer side of one of said flange members, a prong formed on said body portion and extendingv at right angles to said flange members and traversing the space therebetween, said body portion being radially movable on said spindle with respect to flange members of the reel to cause the prong member to engage the tape end and hold it against the core during the initial rotation of the reel and means for simultaneously holding the prong member in engagement with the tape and rotating the reel. 7

, 3. A device for rotating and threading tape ends on a reel including a core and spaced flange members mounted on a spindle comprising a body portion mounted on said spindle and positioned adjacent to one of said flange members, said body portion being radially movable on said spindle With respect to flange members of the reel, a prong formed on said body portion and extending at right angles to said flange members and traversing the space therebetween, said prong member having its outer end provided with an inwardly ofiset portion adapted to engage and hold the tape against the core of the reel upon movement of the body member on the spindle in a direction away from the prong end thereof, said prong portion between the ofiset end and the said body portion arranged to engage the reel flange and means for simultaneously holding said prong member in engagement withrthe tape and rotating said body portion and in turn the reel engaged thereby.

4. Means for engaging tape ends with a reel therefor rotatably mounted upon a spindle comprising a body portion formed with an elongated slot arranged to receive the spindle and movable radially with respect to said reel, an inturned prong formed on one end of the said body portion and adapted to traverse the path 'of travel of the tape on the reel and an outwardly extending handle secured to the body portion at the other end thereof and serving upon movement of the body member on the spindle in a' direction away from the prong end thereof to cause the prong to hold the tape in position on the reel and to rotate the reel.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Williams Mar. 28, 1882 255,745 1,300,974 Johannsen Apr. 15, 1919 2,045,966 Ruehman June 30, 1936 2,290,853

Frankel July 28,1942 

